PERIODONTAL DISEASE TREATMENTS
Whether you're facing early signs or more advanced stages of gum disease, our specialized treatments restore the health and beauty of your gums, paving the way for a vibrant, healthy smile.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease that affects the gums and bones that surround and support the teeth. It is one of the most common inflammatory diseases affecting humans; 70.1% of adults over 65 years old have periodontal disease. In the early stage, called gingivitis, the gums can become swollen and red, and they may bleed. Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. As periodontal disease progresses, tartar and bacteria invade deeper into the gum tissue, damaging the underlying bone and ligaments. This creates an opening at the base of the teeth, separating the gum and tooth, and a periodontal pocket forms. This causes receding gums, bone damage, and eventually tooth loss.
What is a Periodontist?
Highly trained professionals specializing in periodontal health and dental implants: Our team consists of experts who have specialized training in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, as well as in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures and placing dental implants to replace missing teeth.
As periodontists, they are also adept at treating oral inflammation, having undergone extensive and accredited training beyond dental school. This advanced expertise ensures comprehensive care for your oral health needs.
Understanding
the importance of
treating periodontal disease
✺ Preserving Your Natural Teeth
The most immediate and tangible consequence of the untreated periodontal disease is the significantly increased risk of tooth loss. Healthy gums are essential for maintaining the integrity and longevity of your teeth. When periodontal disease is left untreated, it can lead to the deterioration of the supporting structures of your teeth, ultimately resulting in their loss. Treating periodontal disease is crucial not just for your oral health but for preserving your natural smile.
✺ Protecting Your Overall Health
The impact of periodontal disease extends far beyond your mouth. Research has established a strong connection between periodontal disease and cardiovascular health. Individuals with periodontitis are at a heightened risk of experiencing cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes. By treating periodontal disease, you are taking a proactive step toward safeguarding your heart health.
✺ The Link to Systemic Diseases
Periodontitis is not an isolated condition; it's increasingly recognized for its association with various systemic diseases. For instance, there is a notable correlation between periodontal disease and diabetes; periodontal disease can exacerbate diabetes and vice versa. Moreover, expectant mothers with periodontitis are at a higher risk of preterm delivery and giving birth to low birth-weight babies. Addressing your periodontal health is, therefore, a critical component of managing these conditions and maintaining overall health.
✺ Take Action for Your Health
Ignoring periodontal disease can have far-reaching consequences. It's essential to understand the risks and take action to treat this condition. For more detailed information on the systemic impact of periodontal disease, please refer to our comprehensive guide on systemic diseases linked to periodontal health.
Treatment Options
Non-Surgical Treatment
SUB-GINGIVAL CURETTAGE AND DEEP CLEANINGS
Sub-gingival curettage is a procedure used to remove plaque and tartar that forms under the gum line. This intervention involves the careful cleansing and smoothing of tooth root surfaces to eliminate any existing bacterial toxins. It is performed under simple local anesthesia in the comfort of your periodontist’s office.
Following sub-gingival curettage, no further treatment is required for most patients, but patients will need to adhere to continuous maintenance treatment to maintain good oral health.
LASER THERAPY
Dr. Mancini uses the FDA-cleared PerioLase® MVP-7™, one of the most advanced and leading dental lasers, to minimize patient discomfort and obtain the most effective results. The LANAP® laser technology works by targeting the diseased tissue around your tooth, all without harming any healthy tissue. The laser delivers gentle pulses of light that penetrate below the tissue surface. This effectively kills bacteria hidden between the teeth and gum without causing any damage to soft tissue, making the procedure much easier to tolerate. With lasers, bleeding and inflammation are greatly reduced because there is no cutting or suturing. The result is a more relaxing and pain-free patient experience with a quicker recovery.
SURGICAL REDUCTION OF PERIODONTAL POCKETS
When the disease is more advanced a deep cleaning and medication don’t provide adequate relief. This makes it very difficult to clean your teeth properly. In such a case, we must operate to reduce the periodontal pocket.
During this intervention, our periodontist lifts the gum to eliminate all pathogenic bacteria, before fixing the tissue into place. In some instances, damaged bone can present with irregular surfaces. These are smoothed during the procedure to prevent infiltration by disease-causing bacteria and to provide better adherence of the gum tissue to the healthy bone.
Reducing the depth of the periodontal pocket and eliminating any existing bacteria is essential to prevent further damage resulting from disease progression and will let you keep that healthy smile.
✺ RECOMMENDATIONS
✺ RECOMMENDATIONS
PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE
Our clinic provides a comprehensive periodontal maintenance program along with essential post-treatment care, both crucial for maintaining the health of your gums and preventing the reemergence of periodontal disease. Recognizing that periodontal disease is a chronic condition, we emphasize the importance of regular, ongoing care.
Our experienced periodontal hygienists recommend and deliver effective maintenance treatments every three months. This routine is specifically tailored to ensure optimal control and management of periodontal health, keeping your gums in their best possible condition.